Information on ageing well

Ageing Well newsletter

Read the latest edition here  Read past editions here  Subscribe to the enewsletter

Request to get the newsletter sent to you

If you would like to request a printed copy of the Ageing Well newsletter to be posted to yourself or a friend, email us at ageingwell@cardinia.vic.gov.au or call our Customer Service team on 1300 787 624. We will also add you to the mailing list.

Maintaining social connections

Click on a link below to explore the large variety of social activities and events available. 

We have 8 community centres that provide people of all ages and backgrounds with places to meet, share, exchange information and learn together in supportive, nurturing environments. You will find the information below by location, venue or area of interest.
A wide range of activities and courses are offered. Find out what is available for you here.

• Ageing Well Community Connectors Program - this program supports people who may be experiencing social isolation or loneliness to connect with others in their local community. 
• Retirement
• Council and community events
• Activities for seniors
• Arts,crafts and gardening groups
• Local seniors' groups
• Service clubs
• Whats on at Cardinia Cultural Centre
• Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre
  Phone: (03) 8768 4400
• Bunyip and District Community House 
  Phone: 0481 895 509
• Cockatoo Community House  
  Phone: 5968 9031
• Emerald Community House 
  Phone: 5968 3881
• Lang Lang Community Centre 
  Phone: 59975704
• Outlook Community Centre 
  Phone: 5941 1535
• Pakenham Living and Learning 
  Phone: 59412389
• Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre 
  Phone: 5944 3484

Social and interest groups

Cardinia Shire has many interest and social groups. View them in the directory below. 

Seniors groups directory

Community events

A range of Council and local community events can also be found in our online events calendar

Library services

There are 2 libraries in Cardinia Shire. These are located in Pakenham and Emerald. There is also a mobile library service for those who live in the outer regions of the shire.

If you or someone you know is housebound or having difficulty getting to the library, give the Home Library Service team a call. They can arrange a home visit to discuss your eligibility and reading interests. You can have books delivered to your home and exchanged on a regular basis. All library volunteers are police checked. Of course you can visit your library service in Pakenham, Emerald and through the Mobile Library bus service.

The service offers: 

• large print books
• talking’ books
• short-term and long-term memberships

Ph: 5990 0100
Email: home.library@cclc.vic.gov.au

Click a link below to get more information

• Casey Cardinia Libraries
• Home Library Service

Information and support for carers

Carers often put the needs of the person they care for ahead of their own. This is natural, but it’s very important to look after yourself too.

• Australian Government Carers Gateway website
• Carer South events page or call Carer South on 9076 6644

Support services

If you're in need of additional support, these services may be useful. 

Beyond Blue  

Speak one-on-one with a trained mental health professional. Completely confidential. 
Phone: 1300 224 636 

Carers Gateway  

Get practical advice and support. Carers can get a wide range of help from counselling, peer support to respite care. 
Phone: 1800 422 737

Council on the Ageing Victoria - COTA  

A not-for-profit organisation that represents the interests and rights of people aged 50+ in Victoria.
Phone: 1300 135 090  

Dementia Australia 

Representing Australians living with dementia and the almost 1.6 million Australians involved in their care.
Phone: 1800 100 500  

Lifeline   

Provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone: 131 114  

Scam Watch

Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself from being scammed. 
Phone: 1300 432 273  

Seniors Rights Victoria

Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people.
Phone: 1300 368 821

Stay Smart Online  

Gives advice and information about how to protect yourself, your family and your business online. 
Phone: 1300 292 371

Aged care services

 Where do you start?  

There are a variety of resources offered through the Federal Government to assist you as you age. Watch the below presentation for details:

If you require services to help you remain in your own home, the first step is to contact the relevant organisation. 

From your initial contact with that organisation, you can explore the types of services you may need. This may involve an in-home assessment. In this case, an appointment for an assessment will be made and an assessor will take you through the process. They can suggest different service providers which you can choose from, or you may prefer to choose your own.  

Please note: Cardinia Shire Council does not provide aged care services. These services are provided by external service providers that operate within Cardinia Shire Council.   

Home and Community Care for Younger People (HACC PYP)  

To be eligible, you must be

under 65 years old and have a disability or care for someone with a disability 

 or if

You are Aboriginal and is under 50 years old and have a disability or care for someone with a disability

Services available

• In-home services such as personal care, domestic assistance and property maintenance.
• Community services include transport, activity groups, food services and respite. 
• To enquire / apply: South Division Health: 8765 7548
• Click here to visit the Vic Health website for more info

My Aged Care  

My Aged Care is the main centralised Federal Government aged care service. This service provides free information and advice to help people navigate the aged care system. It consists of a website and a call centre. You must register with this service before you can obtain an assessment that will allow you to access services and home care packages.   

Ph: 1800 200 422  

Web: www.myagedcare.gov.au  

My Aged Care Assessment Service Cardinia Region   

For advice and referrals for all home care support & packages for seniors.   

Ph: 5945 0800   

Email: RASfeedback@mecwacare.org.au  

Community Home Support Packages (CHSP)  

Entry level support services to live independently at home. You may only require one or two services.  

Eligibility:  

• 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)

or

• 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.  

The main type of CHSP services available:  

• In home services such as personal care, domestic assistance and property maintenance/ modifications.  
• Community services include transport for shopping or appointments and allied health services.  
• For more info contact My Aged Care 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website
• You will need a home support assessment to determine your eligibility and the level of support you need.  

Home Care Packages (HCP)  

For those who have more complex needs to support independence in their own home.   

You are eligible if you are

Over 65 years old or 45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
An in-home assessment is required to assess if you are eligible for this type of funding and the level you require.  

Levels of funding:  

• Level 1– Basic care needs  
• Level 2– Low care needs  
• Level 3– Intermediate care needs  
• Level 4– High care needs   

The main type of HSP services available:  

• In home services such as personal care, domestic assistance, aids & equipment and property maintenance.  
• Community services include transport for shopping or appointments and activity groups.   
• For more info contact My Aged Care 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website.

Organisations that assist with packages

Mecwacare - Pakenham Office

Offering services for those ineligible for My Aged Care services including:

• domestic support
• community transport
• in-home support
• community programs
• disability support.  

For more info: call 5945 0806 or visit the Mecwacare website.    

Navigators Hub  

If you need help navigating or signing up with the My Aged Care system, you will find this local service helpful.
Cardinia Shire Council and Council of the Ageing Victoria (COTA) has a trained team of community members to support you

More info:

Where: Outlook Community Centre 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham
Ph: 5941 1535

Southern Migrant Refugee Centre 

Southern Migrant Refugee Centre provide:  

• multicultural planned activity groups for seniors.
• aged access & support workers
• friendly home visiting services   

For more info: call 9767 1900  or visit the Southern Migrant Refugee Centre website

Wintringham   

Access and support for seniors who require help with home care packages and financial disadvantage.

For more info call 9769 0202   or visit the Wintringham website

Online safety and scams - how to protect yourself

 Keep safe while using technology. To learn more watch this video of the E-Safety Commissioner's presentation for Cardinia Shire Council. 

The E-Safety Commissioner (Australian Federal Government) hosts free online safety presentations to help older Australians stay safer online. Bookings are limited. To view all presentation topics and to book visit the Australian Government’s Be Connected website

Some of the presentations include:

• staying safe on Facebook
• all you need to know about data and public Wi-Fi
• safer online shopping and banking
• protect yourself against scams
• selling safely online
• connecting to others
• how to use smart home technology
• how to use zoom to make video calls
• helpful apps for your smart device
• how to use government websites

Protecting yourself against scams and cybercrime

Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself from being scammed.

Scams
Call 1300 432 273 or visit the Scamwatch website

Cybercrime
Call 1300 292 371 or visit the Cybercrime website

Watch this video on retirement

 Watch our recent presentation on retirement below: 

Personal alarms

Council does not provide personal alarms.

Funded personal alarms

If you are over 65, you may be eligible for a subsidised personal alarm. To enquire about this you can: 

• contact Mecwacare for an assessment on 5945 0800
• speak to a community health nurse or occupational therapist 

If you are under 65, contact Monash Health on 1300 342 273

Unfunded personal alarms

Many private providers offer medical monitoring services which you need to pay for.  

What Council does to assist people to age well

Ageing Well Strategy

• Council has adopted the Ageing Well Strategy 2019-25.
• The strategy sets Council’s priorities over the next 5 years to support older residents to be healthy, active, stay socially connected and participate fully in the community. 
• It was informed and developed through extensive consultation with older residents and the broader community along with community groups, service providers and state and federal government agencies. |

Read the Ageing Well Strategy and Action Plan 2019-25

Age Friendly City

Questions?

For any questions about services, events and activities for seniors:

Contact our Ageing Well Facilitator
Ph: 1300 787 624
Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au